Unconditional Love (Theseus Scamander)

Chapter One, Sisters

Chapter One, Sisters

Two years had passed since the twins had been born. During those years Corvus Lestrange was mean, neglectful and sometimes verbally and mentally abusive to his twin girls as he searched for a suitable wife to give him the proper Heir; but that didn't diminish Leta's or Lisette's fire. In fact it strengthened it. Leta and Lisette had continued to grow closer as they grew, relying on each other for love, affection, security, and fun. All they had was each other and their Nanny Irma Dugard who was half witch and half elf. She cared greatly for the twins, teaching them everything a parent should and giving them a semblance of security. Irma taught them to be true to each other which they readily agreed to.

You didn't see one without the other which only strengthened their Twin Bond; at two years old they could feel when the other was upset or afraid and offer them love and safety through the bond. At such a young age they knew their father hated and despised them, that he didn't love them but still they tried to seek his approval until one day when Lisette was trying to show her father how hard she had worked at playing the piano, he got fed up of listening to her asking for his attention that he threw his tumbler of whiskey into the fire and struck the youngest across the cheek causing the poor girl to fall to the floor in tears. Her magic reacting to her fear and pain threw the man away from her right through the double doors into the hall.

Leta, who had been in the garden with Irma completing a Herbology lesson, felt her sister's fear and pain leapt to her feet so suddenly that it startled the poor elder woman.
"Leta! Whatever is the matter!?" Irma asked, shocked, her French accent becoming more pronounced.
"Lissy!" Leta shouted, her magic bubbling under skin as she sprinted into the manor following the connection to her baby sister - vaguely hearing Irma running behind her - only to arrive in time to see their father crash through the double doors into the opposite wall having been thrown from the room by Lisette's raging magic. "It's okay Lissy!" Leta exclaimed, ignoring their father who shouted expletives at them. "I have you. I'm sorry I left you alone." Leta apologised, tears in her eyes as she held her baby sister in arms who was sobbing against her.

"N-not your fault Leta." Lisette cried, clutching tightly to her elder sister. "I hate him sissy. I hate him!" Anger was now bubbling inside the younger twin, memories of pain and hunger surging through her mind that she didn't understand where they were from.
"Me too. Me too." Leta agreed, the twins now glaring at the man who sired them who had now clambered to his feet, a small cut on his head, and was shouting at Irma to keep the 'devil twins' away from him, before he left through the fireplace. That was the first and last time the twins were ever separated from each other.
"Come girls, let's get you both some hot chocolate and play in the garden." Irma coaxed, gently tending to Lisette who had a small cut on her cheek from one of his many rings.

"We hate him, Irma!" Lisette burst out, safe now that he was no longer in the manor. She knew none of the house elves would tell him as they all hated how he treated their young Mistresses.
"I know sweetlings." Irma cooed, bringing both girls in for a tight hug, pressing kisses to their dark chocolate curls. "I wish there was something more I could do to help you both. I really do." She sighed, with one last kiss to their foreheads, Irma pulled back looking over the two girls; straightening Leta's light purple dress and Lisette's matching dress but it was of a light blue colour instead.
"Irma, you're it!" They exclaimed, giggling as they ran away trying to find a good hiding place.
"Oh those girls." Irma laughed, shaking her head. "You'll both have a hard life with him but I will shield you both as best I can. That is my solemn promise; so mote it be."

What little magic Irma possessed along with the ancient Family Magicks reacted to her promise holding her to it much like a Unbreakable Vow would. But she did not care. All she cared about was the twins and making sure they were well cared for by her and had everything they could possibly need to the best of her ability. She loved those girls as if they were own, as she couldn't have her own children; the instincts were stronger and she would be damned if she let what happened today happen again. She knew Lord Corvus Lestrange would rue the day he mistreated the girls for they were fierce and vindictive in their protective desire of the other, despite being sweet and kind girls; they were also incredibly powerful, but especially Lisette.

Irma could feel her magic thick in the air around her, and she knew with Leta by her side and vice versa, they would grow to do amazing things and she couldn't wait to see the incredible and powerful young women she knew they would become. Shaking her head of the maudlin thoughts, Irma set out to find her wee charges, smiling as she heard their giggles from near the stables.
'Of course they'd hide there. Lissy loves Magical Creatures almost as much as she loves Leta. Whereas, Leta loves protecting others.' Irma thought happily.
"I'm coming, girls. No running and changing your hiding places this time." Irma teased, smiling as she heard the sound of laughter and running feet as they did as she predicted.

Laughing to herself, Irma hastened her pace to catch the girls intending to take their minds off this morning's events and give them the best possible childhood she could possibly give. And give them the one thing they have been missing in their two years of life; Unconditional Love.